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Denzel Washington Biography

Denzel Washington was born on December 28, 1954 in Mt. Vernon, N.Y. His father was a Pentecostal minister and his mother a beautician. He is the middle of three children.

After high school, Washington attended Fordham University. He received his B.A. in journalism in 1977. He moved to San Francisco and enrolled in the American Conservatory Theatre for one year before moving back to New York to begin his acting career.

Washington made his professional acting debut in the 1977 TV movie "Wilma." It was on the set that he met actress Pauletta Pearson, who would become his wife. They wed on June 25, 1983 and have four children — John, Katia and twins Malcolm and Olivia.

Washington’s first big screen appearance was the 1981 movie "Carbon Copy" with George Segal. During the 1980s, he worked in films and on television. He landed his first major break in 1982, landing the role of Dr. Chandler on the television medical series "St. Elsewhere." The show ran until 1988 and helped raise Washington’s notoriety in the entertainment industry.

Washington received a best supporting actor nomination for his role in "Cry Freedom" in 1987. In 1989, he won the best supporting actor Oscar for the role of Tripp, an ex-slave, in the movie "Glory." His Hollywood stock would continue to soar during the 1990s as he appeared in such box-office blockbusters as "Malcolm X," "The Pelican Brief," "Philadelphia," "Crimson Tide," "Courage Under Fire" and "The Bone Collector."

Washington was nominated and received the Academy Award for best actor for his 2001 role in "Training Day," becoming just the second actor of African-American descent to earn the prestigious Oscar honor.

In 2002, Washington moved behind the camera for the first time, making his directing debut in the film "Antwone Fisher."